Glazed Tiles as an Improving Element for Environmental Quality in Urban Landscape

Abstract

Cities are complex entities where multi-functional and multi-layered data intersect each other and integrate into the urban landscape. The emotional and practical purposes of everyday life takes place within that physical network, i.e. the city, and should be seen as something that interacts with the citizens in a meaningful aesthetic, social and cultural relationship. Our senses are continuously alert, providing us with relevant perceptual facts about our environment, allowing us to make numerous conscious and unconscious choices and connecting all the sensations of each moment to others in our previous experiences. Throughout this process, the tactile and colourful presence of glazed tiles are of enormous importance, being capable of transforming urban surface texture to something memorable, recognisable, perceptual rich, historically-rooted and with great value on sustainable grounds. These aspects should give urban designers new insights into the use of glazed tiles as an important element for the quality and diversity of urban landscapes.